Method of and system for vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids



3mm Sam -7 c ones 2 sheets-sheet 1 S. P. JONES Filed Dec. 23, 1940 W IIIIIIIIII METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR VAPORIZING HYDROCARBQN LIQUIDS March 16,1943.

March 16, 1943.

S. P. JONES METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR VAPORIZING HYDROGARBON LIQUIDS Filed Dec. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 grea MQW 5am -1 doves Patented Mar. 16, 1943 METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR VAPORIHIIG HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS 7 Sam P. Jones, Dallas, Tex. Application December 23, 1940, Serial No. 371,364 16 Claims. (01. 62-1) This invention relates to new and useful improvementsin methods of and systems for vatems for vaporizingand otherwise handling these liquids. As is well known, commercial butane,

socalled, which is actually a mixture of butane,

propane and other'hydrocarbons, is most gene erally employed in these systems.

The accepted type of vaporizing systems now in use (although there may be others) maybe classified into two groups, the batch system and the flash system. The batch system employs an underground tank in which the liquid mixture is introduced and gas is drawn from the vapor space above the liquid level in said tank and is conducted to the appliances within the home. In this type of system, no liquid is drawn from the tank but only gas or vapor whichis present above the liquid level is taken therefrom. Since the liquid, such as commercial butane is a mixture of different hydrocarbons, the hydrocarbons having the lower boiling point will tend to rise from the liquid body first and will therefore, be withdrawn from the tank first. Thus, as the system continues to operate the liquid mixture is changed, with the result that the calorific value of the fuel supplied to the house appliances is constantly changing, which is most undesirable. The withdrawal of those hydrocarbons having the lower boiling points also results in the heavier ends, with the higher boiling-points, remaining in the tank to be withdrawn last. Upon withdrawal of these heavier ends from the tank, said ends tend to condense in the house lines, that is, the conductors from tank to house, in cold Weather, because as explained, the boiling point of said ends is considerably higher than the boiling point of the Original mixture. This condensation not only creates a hazard but also prevents proper flow of gas to the appliances.

In the flash system, the liquid is stored in an underground tank but the gas is not withdrawn from the vapor space as in the batch system so that the disadvantage of a constantly changing mixture is not had. In the flash system, the liquid itself is drawn from the tank and is passed through a reducing valve and then conducted valve resultsin vaporization which is enhanced by the flow through the house line which is usual- 1y. of considerable length.- Althoughthe flash system overcomes the disadvantageof a constantly changing mixture in the tank, it has certain other disadvantages.; For example, in the event of a failure of the system tovaporize the liquid, or in the event of overloading of, or excessive demand upon the system, liquid may flow through the house line and into the house appliances. Also, there is a tendency for moisture when presentin the fuel to freeze at the pressure reducing valve, with the result that the valve is rendered inoperative to control the flow to the house appliance. Attempts have been made to overcome this freezing by admixing alcohol with the liquid fuel but this is impractical because of the difficulty of properly proportioning the alcohol to the moisture present in the liquid.

Thus, it is evident that both the batch system and the flash system have certain disadvantageswhich render them inefficient in vaporizing and handling hydrocarbon liquefied gases under all conditions.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved system for hydrocarbon liquids or liquefied gases which overcomes the objections and disadvantages of the batch and flash time systems, while retaining the advantages or desirable features of both.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved system, offthe character described, wherein'the liquid is withdrawn from the tank, vaporized and conducted to the appliance under normal operating conditions; said system having means for automatically supplying gas to the appliances from the vapor space above the liquid in the storage tank in the event of an excessive demand or overload of the vapor- 'izing system, or in case of failure of said system for any reason whatever, whereby efflcient operation is assured at all times and underabnormal or unusual, as well as normal conditions.

Another object of the invention is .to' provide an improved hydrocarbon vaporizing system having means for positively preventing the flow of liquid. intothe appliance or apparatus being supplied, whereby unvaporized liquid cannot pass into the device being supplied with fuel..

A further object of the invention is to provide 'an improved vaporizing system for hydrocarbon liquids wherein the apparatus being supplied has communication with the stored liquid body' and also has communication with the vapor space above said liquid, whereby the apparatus may be supplied from either source, together with control means which is automatically actuated for normally supplying the apparatus from the liquid which is vaporized in its passage to the apparatus, said control mean permitting flow of gas from the vapor space only upon excessive demand or overload on, or failure of the vaporizing equipment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved system, of the character described, wherein the liquid itself in flowing through the house line toward the apparatus being supplied, which condition will occur when an excessive demand is made upon the vaporizing equipment, is utilized to effect the actuation of thecontrol means to provide for a supply of gas from the vapor space above the stored body of liquid, whereby failure of the system to provide fuel is prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydrocarbon vaporizing system having an improved control means disposed in the conductor between the-liquid supply tank and the appliance, said means normally functioning to regulate the pressure of the gas passing therethrough to the appliance and being adapted to function to limit the flow of gas therethrough'to the capacity of the vaporizer to deliver a dry saturated gas and-thereby prevent passage of liquid to the appliance-under abnormalconditions when the demand exceeds the capacity of the vaporizer.

Still another obj'ect'ofthe invention is to provide an improved system, of the character de-' scribed, wherein an auxiliary vaporizer in the form of a heat exchanger may be readily connected in the conductor which establishes communicationbetweenthe liquid storage tank and the appliance, whereby complete vaporization in colder climates is assured.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an"improved method of vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids; and supplying the same to an ap 'pliance whichj includes, withdrawing liquid from a storedbody'of liquid within a tank and vaporizing the same," then conducting the gas so produced 'to the appliance under normal conditions, and utilizing the presence of an excessive amount of liquid in the conductor to set up a flow of gas from'the vapor space above the liquid body whenever the demand is in excess of the capacity of the vaporizing equipment, whereby a constant supply of gas to-the appliance is assured at all times.

A construction designed to carryout the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which an example of the invention is shown, and

wherein: I

Figure '1 is a view of a'vaporizing system, con structed in'ac'cordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the riser pipe "and regulator which is connected in'th'e house line, v

Figure 3-is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view of the upper portion of the riser showing the float valve therein,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view of the regulator,

Figure 5 is a'partial view of a'modifled form of system showing a heat-exchange vaporizer connected therein,

Figure 6 is an elevation of the vaporizer,

Figure 7 is a transverse, vertical sectional view,

- taken through the vaporizer, and

Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 5, showing another modification of the system.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates an underground storage tank for receiving a hydrocarbon liquid which, for the purposes of this description, will be assumed to be commercial butane. As is well known-commercial butane is, in reality, composed of varying percentages of butane, propane and iso-butane and may even contain other hydrocarbons: The storage tank [0 is buried a suitable distance underground and has a curb box H extending upwardly from the top of the tank to the surface of the ground. The

curb box is normally closed by a suitable cover or closure 12.

The tank, together with its various fittings, is of an ordinary construction and the particular details of said tank form'no part of the inventive concept of the present invention.

As illustrated, a standpipe l3 extends upwardly from the top of the tank and is enclosed within the curb box H. A head H, which carries the various valves, gauges and other devices associated with the filling and operation of the system is mounted on the upper end of the standpipe l3. This head is of the usual construction and may be purchased on the open market. A gas outlet pipe l5 extends through the standpipe l3 and has its lower end-communicating with the upper portion of the tank It). This pipe passes outwardly through a valve l6 mounted in the head I4, whereby gas from the upper end of the tank may be conducted therefrom and through a pressure regulator H, which regulator is secured to the standpipe within the. curb box. A gas line I8 extends from the regulator I1 and has connection with a pipe H which extends underground for some distance and then upwardly above the surface, as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

A liquid outlet pipe 20 extends from the bottom of the tank 10 and upwardly into the lower portion of the curb box II. A hand operated valve 2| is coupled onto the upper end of the liquid. outlet line 20 whereby a control of the liquid flowing upwardly through the line 20 from the interior of the tank maybe manually controlled. A-pressure reducing valve 22 is connected with the housing of the valve 2|, whereby a communication between this regulator and the liquid outlet line 20 through the valve 2| is had. The pressure:reducing valve 22 is connected with the house line23, which line parallels the gas line I! and then extends upwardly to the surface of the ground.

The house line has its end connected in a pressure regulator 24, which regulator is clearly shown in Figure 4. The regulator includes a body or case 25 which is formed with a port 26 at its lower end. The lower portion of the port 26 is internally screw-threaded to receive the house line 23, whereby a flow from the line into the port 26 may occur. A valve seat 21 is formed at the upper end of the port 26 and a pivoted valve I element 28 isv adapted to engage this seat to close the flow through the port. The valve element is provided with an upwardly extending arm 29, which arm projects through an opening 30 formed within a collar 3|. The collar 3| is sesuredto a flexiblediaphragm 32 which has its peripherial portion clamped between the case 25 and a cover 33 which is fastened tothe case by suitable screws 34. .Thecover 33 is formed with an axial, integral sleeve 35 which has its outer end closed by' a cap 36. A coil spring 31 has'one end engaging thediaphragm 32 while its other r, 2,314,279; end engages an adjusting nut38 which'is thread- 7 ed within the sleeve 35 of the case. Manifestly,

25, whereby the arm 29 is urged in a direction tending to open the valve 28 and permita flow through the'port'26. Any pressure withinthe case 25, of course, acts upon the diaphragm] 32 I the coil "spring 31 constantly exerts its pressure to movethe diaphragm inwardly within thecase ized sofllong' a the temperatu're remains the same. Due to theiactjthatjcommercial butane .is a

.m'ixtureoi' afnumberj'ofhydlpdarbonsgthevaporn tion-whichfo cursiwhen t eliquid butane is 'lpermtted to stand'inajreservoir under certain ,conditiona'fi's' a vaporization ofjthe lighter or a more volatile fractions, which are present inthe and will tend to move. the diaphragm in a direcv tion against T the pressure .of the spring 31 and thereby urge the valve 28jtoward a closed position. By properly adjusting. the coil spring 31, it in is possible to maintain a predetermined flowj past the valve 28 and thereby 'contro1 the pressure on the downstream side of the regulator 24. It is pointed out that the regulator above described, is

pipe has a T 42threaded thereon andthis T also has connection through a short pipe 43 and an elbow with the gas line [9 which leads from the gas regulator l'l within the curb box ll.

Within the interior of the pipe'40 a valve seat 45 is provided. and this seat is adapted to beengaged by a resilientrvalve disk 46 which is secured tothe upper end of a float member 41, the

latter being disposed within the riser,pipe 40.

,Thefloat is provided with an upwardlyexten'ding axial stem 48 which extends through a trans- .heatfvalue; .asthe operationcontinues it will verse spider 49 which is fpreferably a part 0! the V valve seat 45. A coil spring 50, which is relatively light, surrounds the stem .above the'spider and has its upper end engaging lock nuts 5| which are threaded onto the upperend of the stem.

Withthis arrangement, the float 41 is resiliently supported orsu spended within the upper portion of the riser pipe! and wheneverthe liquid level within said pipe rises a sufficient distance to move the float. upwardly soas to engage the valve disk with the valve'seat 45, a flow from the upper end of the riser pipe is prevented. g The T 42 which is threaded onto the upper end of the riser pipe 40 and which has one side connected with the gas line 19, as has been explained, has its other end connected with the service-line 52 whichextends-through the wall of the house'or'building and has connection with t the particular appliance Awhich is to be; operated.

Ashas been stated, the system is particularly adapted forv use in vaporizing liquefied, gases, such as commercial butane. Since commercial butane-is composed of varying percentages of different hydrocarbons, each hydrocarbon hasa different boiling point at the same pressure and values. Obviously, the various hydrocarbons'and their proportions in the mixture control the boilingpoint of the mixture and also control the heat value of the vapor which is produced when the mixture is vaporized. When commercial butane is permitted to stand in a-tank or other reservoir, under a certain pressure and temperature,vaporization within the reservoir will occur the vapors or gases-thereof contain varied heat duetothe .iactthat the boiling point of liquid butane'isabout 33 Fahrenheit. This vaporization will continue until a dormant condition is rcachedaiter which no further butane is vapormixture. "l'hereior'e'fthe propane and other lighter,fractions tendto 'vaporize' r'nore rapidly and the heavier ends tend to; remain in a liquid state. f If these vapors are 1 constantly withdrawn from the reservoir, it becomes obvious that the gases or vapors soiwithdrawn are,v vapors consisting of a mixture which; contains the. lighter fractions in a predominate, volume. :'I'h erefore,

the gas or vapor which, is. initially Lwithdraw'n from i the reservoir would'ihave a predetermined eventually",occur that'"mo st of the lighter fractions are removed, w'iththe result that the gases or .vapors which are drawn from the reservoir as the liquid level fallstherein havea difierent heat value because of the change. in the mixture of such'gaseslon vapors. a V undesirable to withdrawthe'gases ,orvapors from the top of the tanlr through the line l5 because I I a constant withdrawal of these gases' will result int-a change in'the .mixture and thereforea change in .the B. t. u.- value of .the gas, with the result that constant adjustment of the appliance being supplied is necessary to obtain maximum efficiency. r r v t Inthe operation ofthe systemandin carrying out the improved methodherein, the liquid hydrocarbon, that is, ,7 commercial butane, is intro.-

duced into the tankgl ll. Theheat from-the surrounding earth will of course, immediately -vapor- 'ize; a portion;.oi the liquid. within the tank and vaporization will continue. .until a dormant COD? dition is reached. At such time, there will be a certain level oiliquid'witlqln the tank It) and' ,abovethis level, there willbethe gases or vapors which have risen from the -liquid body. Thus, the space in the upper portion of the tankabdve the liquid level forms a gas ,storagep-cha'mbena The pressure regulator 24 ;which is-connected,

to thehouse or vaporizing line23 is setata pressure which is higher than the pressure for which thegas regulator I 'I in'the curb box ll .is-set. With such arrangement, so long as the pressure within the riser 40 and service-line 52.is maintained at ,thepressure for which the regulator .24 is set, the regulator .I I will remain closed, whereby no gas can flow-from .the "upper: end oi the tank and into the gas line l9; 1

When the'appliance Aisactuatedtoiplace a demand uponthe-syst'em, liquid flows upwardly through. the liquid outlet pipe;,20 being forced through saidpipe by thepressurein the gas storage chamberv above the-liquid levelin the tank. The liquid flowing athro ugh the pipe '20 passes through the pressurezreducing or expansion valve, 22, whichbringsabout a pressure drop-resulting in a 'vaporization'of .some'oi the liquid. Thevapor's so produced, together :Wlth

the remaining. liquid flow through 'the vaporizing or house line 23 toward the regulator 24. I'he heat "of the earth surrounding the vaporizing line 23 is suflici'entto vaporizetheliquid flowing therethrough under normal operating conditions. "In other .words', fthe length andjsize of the line '23 is" predetermined, whereby a certain number of cubic feet per hour'oi gas may be pro duced through this line, By lengthening or For this reason, zit i the of the system regulator 26 which, as hasbeen explained, is

adjusted to maintain a predetermined pressure beyond the regulator, whereby gas under a predetermined pressure is supplied, to the appliance A. a practical example, the regulator may be set for seven ounces, whereby the gas or vapor supplied to the appliance is under this pressure. This would result in seven (7) ounces pressure 1g pro-sent notonly in the service line S'Lbut in 'the'gasline'l in advance of" the regulater .i'? within the curb box-! I. If the regulator. 24 is set for seven ('1) ounces, then the regulator ii in the curb box will be set at a less pressure, for example, (6) ounces-with the result that so long as seven ('4') ounces pressure is maintained within the service line 52 and the gas line 59, the reg ulator l'. will not function but will s line closed. Under such condition, from the gas storage chamber in per'end of the tank in tothe gas line is and then to the service line 52.

ing upon the diaphragm 32 to afiect a control or regulation of the pressure inaccor'dance with the adjustment of the spring 3?.

Whenever the demand is increased to a point of the-gas will hewithdrawn from the vaporizing.

line and the liquid wiileventually reach the regulator 2d. such liquid enteringthe casing l1 said regulator through the port 28. i. did enters the casing 25. it will begin. to rise wit said casing and the weight of the column of liquid within said casing will act against the diaphragm 32, suchweight being added to the "apor pressure acting against said diaphragm. It s. i be evident that as soon the weight of s iii, the pressure of thr vapor or gas which passes into the riser pipe a2 and then into the service pipe 5?. will be reduced in accordance with the amountof pressure exerted on the diaphragm by such column of liquid. A continued demand for gas in excess of the capacity of the vaporizing ni'eans will continue to build the liquid column upwithin the regulator 94 and this rise in liq uid level will continue until such time as the pressurepas'sing to the appliance through the riser 3D and service pipe 52 dropsto a predetermined point in accordance with the setting of the regucolumn of liquid begins to act upon the diaphragm.

lator I l. As was previously pointed out, if the regulator 24 is set to -n 1 aintain a pressure of seven (7) ounces, while theregulator H is set to mainreguiator 24 to a point where the weight of the liquid column is equal to 1 ounce pressure, then the vapor pressure in the service line 52 will drop to six (6) ounces or slightly below. When this occurs, the regulator I1. is automatically opened, whereby gas may flow from the gas storage chamber in the upper end of the tank l0 through the line I5, then through the regulator I! and to the gas line 19. From the gas line, the gas will pass' From the foregoing. it will be seen that under normal conditions gas is supplied from the vaporizing line 23, with the result that a gas having a constantB. t. u. value is supplied to the appliance. When the demand becomes excessive, that is when more gas is required than th vaporizing equipment can produce, then the regulator H is automatically opened to supply gas or vapor from the gas storage chamber of the tank.

-As soon as the demand for gas or vapor decreases, a building up of the pressure within the service line 52 and within th riser 40, as well as within the gas line ill, will take place and when this pressure is built back up to the pressure in excess of that for'which the regulator 11 is adjusted, then said regulator automatically closes to shut off the flow from the gas storage chamber to the service line, as explained. After the regulator closes, the gas is again supplied solely from the vaporizing line 23.

Thedecrease in the demand for gas permits the liquid within the vaporizing line 23 to be converted into a gas by the earths heat prior to its passage to the regulator 24. In fact, all of the liquid in the line 23 is vaporized some distance before it reaches said regulator, whereby the gas in passing through the vertical portion of the line 23 will be superheated since the pipe is at a higher temperature than the gas. This superheated gas passes upwardly through the liquid column which had previously accumulated within ti e diaphragm case and due to its superheated condition, is capable of picking up some of the liquid in the column as itpasses upwardly therethrough. Continued operation under a condition where the demand is below the capacity of the vaporizer permits all the liquid to be picked up by the gas passing through the liquid column and in a short time, all of the accumulated liquid has been dissipated and converted into a gas. Of course, after the liquid has been removed in this manner, operationof the system continues in a normal manner, with the gas being supplied from the vaporizing line 23. It will be evident that the regulator 24 and riser pipe assembly lll'performs two definite'functions. Under noflnaloD- crating conditions, said regulator regulates the pressure on the gas passing through from the vaporizer to the appliance at all rates of flow below the capacity of said vaporizer; when the demand exceeds the capacity of the vaporizer, the regulator serves to limit the flow of vapor therethrough to the capacity of the vaporizer to deliver a dry saturated vapor and, therefore, it is never possible for liquid to be carried'over into the service line and to'the appliance. Whenever the liquid builds up a predetermined amount above the regulator diaphragm 32, the gas regulator I! in the curb box I I automatically opens to supply gas from the gas storage chamber of the tank 10. Gas is supplied from this chamber until such time as the excessive demand decreases, at which time the system returns to normal operation.

Under some conditions, the moisture in the liquid fuel may cause the regulating valve 24 to freeze and thereby shut off a flow from 'the line 23 to the service line 52. If this should occur, a drop in pressure in the service line 52 will immediately-follow and as soon as this pressure drops to a point below that-for-which'the gas regulator I1 in the curb box is set, said regulator I! will immediately open to supply gas to the appliance from the gas storage chamber of the tank IIL- The-heat of the earth will eventuallythaw the freezing at the regulator 24 to permit a resumption of flow from the line 23 to the service line. As'soon as the freezing condition is overcome, the gas regulator l1 automatically closes and normal operation is resumed. Thus, it will be obvious that regardless of the condition which oi? the regulator 24. If the gas regulator I! failed to open to supply gas to the service line 52,,the liquid level would continue to rise ln'the pipe 40 and in order to prevent a flow of this liquid into the service line under these conditions, the float 41 is-provided in the upper end 'of said riser. Manifestly, as the liquid level buildsup in the riser to a sufficient distance, it will cause the float 41 to move upwardly, whereby the valve disk 46 on the upper end of said float engages the valve seat 45 to completely shut off a flow from the vaporizing line 23 to the service line 52. In such case, the system would be entirely shut down,

advising the operator that some of the mechanism is not properly functioning. The provision of the float will positively prevent the passage tube 65 which tube leads to an expansion valve 66 which is substituted for the expansion valve 22 shown in the first form. The expansion valve 66.is connected by a suitable coupling 61 with the inlet port 26 of the diaphragm case 25.

For heating the coils 62, hot water may be circulated through the annular .casing 6|- of the vaporizer being introducedthrough an inlet pipe 68 and being conducted therefrom by an ,outlet pipe 69. The pipes 68 and 69 may be connected with the water system of anvordinary hot water heater H which. is normally used within a house or home for heating the water supply. or course, it is evident that the hot water which is circulated through the" vaporizer may be obtained from any suitable source.

The operation, of this system is substantially the same as the system shown in Figures lto 4. However, instead of the expansion valve 22 being located within the curb box, the expansion valve 66 is interposed between'the vaporizer 60 and the regulator 24. The liquid is conducted from the tank Ill and is carried through the coils 62 of the vaporizer, where it is converted intova gas. It is then taken through the pressure reducing valve -66 and brought down .to the desired pressure, after whichsaid gas passes through the regulator 24 and then into the riser 40 and T 42. From the T, the gas is conducted through a line 43a which connects the T with the gas line l9,

' such connection being eflected by a T 10. The

01' liquid into the service line 52 under any condition. s

In Figures 1 to 4, the liquid which is withdrawn from the tank It! through the outlet pipe 20 is vaporized by means of the pressure reducingor.

' In the colder climates, the earthen heat may not be suflicient to accomplish complete vaporization and it might be desirable to employ an auxiliary vaporizing unit. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 5 to '7. Referring to these figures, a vaporizer which includes an annular; case 6| having a plurality of coils 62 therein, is'provided. The vaporizer is secured by bolts 63, or other suitable means, to the outer iaceof the regulator case'25. One end of the coils 62 has connection with an inlet collar'64 (Figure 6) to which a line 23a is connected. The other end of the line 23a has connection with the vaporizing line 23 which leads from the tank In, whereby liquid from the tank is conducted to the coils 62 of the vaporizer 60. The other end of the coils 62 has connection with an outlet conductor or regulator I1 is actuated, as has been explained A slightly modified form of the hook-up shown in Figure 51s illustrated in Figure 8. It may be desirable under certain conditions to positively circulate the hot water through the vaporizer under pressure and for this purpose a water '.pump 15 may be connected-in the water inlet lin 68 leading to the vaporizer 60. In this hook-up,

the upper end of the riser 40 carries the T 42 which has the service. line 52 extending therefrom. The otherside of the T is connected by the pipe 43 and elbow 44, shown in Figure lfto the gas line IS. The only 'difierence between this hook-up and that shown in Figure 5, with the exception of the interposition of the pump 15 is that the service line 52 leads from the T 42 at the upper end'of the riser 40 instead of from the T10 which is connected in the gas line l9. In Figure 8, one end of the T 10 is plugged, whereas in Figure 5 one side of the T 42 is plugged. 1 Manifestly, the operation of the system shown in Figure 8 is exactly the same as in the other forms. 7

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vaporizing system including, a storage tank having a hydrocarbon liquid stored therein, a gas chamber communicating with the upper end of the tank for receiving the vapors rising from said stored body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from the tank for conducting liquid therefrom, means for vaporizing the liquid passing through said conductor to produce a gas,

means connected in the conductor for regulating the pressur 01' the gas passing fromth conductor to maintain a predetermined pressure in said conductor beyond said regulating means, means for establishing communication between the'conductor beyond said regulating means and the gas chamber, and a valve in said last-named means normally closed to prevent flow of gas from the gas chamber to the conductor, said valve being responsive to pressur in the conductor and being automatically opened when the pressure in the conductor falls below a predetermined point.

2. A vaporizing system including, a storage tank having a hydrocarbon liquid stored therein, a gas chamber communicating with the upper end of the tank for receiving the vapors rising from said stored body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from the tank for conducting liquid therefrom, means for vaporizing the liquid passing through said conductor to produce a gas, means connected in the conductor for regulating the pressure of the gas passing from the conductor to maintain apredetermined pressure, in

said. conductor beyond said regulating means, a,

a gas chamber communicating with the upper end of the tank for receiving the vapors rising from said stored body of liquid, 9. supply conductor extending from the tank for conducting liquid therefrom, means for vaporizing the the liquid passing through said conductor to produce a gas, means connected in the conductor for regulating the pressure of the gas'passing from the conductor to maintain a predetermined pressure in said conductor beyond said regulating means, a riser associated-with said regulating means for receiving liquid in the event liquid flows past said regulator, the liquid in said riser acting upon'the regulating means to vary the pressure in the conductor beyond the regulator, means for establishing communication between the conductor beyond the riser and the gas chamber, and avalve in said last-named means normally closed to prevent flow of gas from the gas chamber to the conducton said valve being responsive to pressure in the conductorand being automatically opened when the pressure in the conductor falls below a predetermined point,

4. A vaporizing system including, a storage tank having a hydrocarbon liquid stored therein, a gas chamber communicating with the upper end of the tank for receiving the vapors rising from said stored body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from the tank for conducting liquid therefrom,,means for vaporizing the'liquid passing through said conductor to' produce a gas, means'connected in the conductor for re ulating the pressure of the gas passing from the conductor to maintain-a predetermined pressure in said conductor beyond said regulating means, means" for establishing communication between the conductor beyond said regulating means and the gas chamber, means for controlling the flow of gas from the chamber to the conductor and actuated when the pressure in the conductor falls below a predetermined point, and means associated with the regulating means in the supply conductor for utilizing any unvaporized liquid which passes said regulating means to act upon said regulating means and thereby reduce the pressure in the conductor beyond the regulating means and thereby afiect an actuation of the control means.

5. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases including, a liquid reservoir, a gas chamber communicating with the upper portion of the reservoir for storing gas vaporized from the body 01' liquid, a supply conductor leading from thereservoir for conducting liquid from said reservoir, means in said conductor for vaporizing the liquid passing therethrough, a regulator connected in said conductor beyond the vaporizing means to maintain a predetermined pressure in said conductor,.a connecting line between the gas chamber and the supply conductor beyond the regulator, and control means mounted in said line for controlling the flow of gas from the gas chamber to said conductor, said control means responsive to the pressure in said conductor being normally closed and being moved to an open position only, when the pressure in the conductor falls below a predetermined point.

6. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases including, in combination with a gas operated appliance, an underground liquid storage tank, av

gas chamber communicating with the upper portion of the tank for storing the gas vaporized from the body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from the tank to the appliance and having a portion thereof underground, whereby the heat of the earth aids in vaporizing liquid flowing through said conductor, means in the conductor for enhancing vaporization of the liquid, a regulator in the conductor for maintaining the pressureof the gas flowing to the appliance substantially constant, and means actuated irrespective of the pressure within thetank for supplying gas from the gas chamber to the appliance in the event the pressure of the gas supplied from the conductor falls below a predetermined point.

7. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases including, in combination with a gas operated appliance, an underground liquid storage tank, a gas chamber communicating with the upper portion of the tank for storing the gas vaporized from the body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from'the tank to the appliance and having a portion thereof underground, whereby the heat of the earth aids in vaporizing liquid flowing through said conductor, means in the conductor for enhancing vaporization of the liquid,

a regulator in the conductor for regulating the pressure of the gas and maintaining the same at a predetermined point, means associated with the regulator for receiving liquid in the event liquid passes said regulator and for causing said liquid to act upon the regulator to produce a drop in the maintained pressure beyond the regulator, and means actuated by such pressure drop for supplying gas from the gas chamber to the appliance.

8. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases including, in combination with a gas operated appliance, an underground liquid storage tank, agas chamber communicating with the upper portion of the tank for storing the gas vaporized from the body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from the tank to the appliance and having a portion thereof underground, whereby the heat of the earth aids in vaporizing liquid nowing through said conductor, means in the conductor for enhancing vaporization of the liquid, a regulator in the conductor for regulating the pressure of the gas and maintaining the same at a predetermined point, means associated with the regulator for receiving liquid in the event liquid passes said regulator and'for causing said liquid to act upon the regulator to produce a drop in the maintained pressure beyond the regulator, 'a connecting line extending from the gas chamber to the supply conductor beyond the regulator, and control means in said line normally closed and arranged to be opened when the pressure in the conductor beyond the regulator fallsbelow a predetermined point to permit a flow of gas from the gas chamber to the appliance.

9. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases liquid in the event liquid passes the regulator and cause itto act upon the regulator to reduce the pressure of the gas flowing from the conductor, and means actuated by the reduction inpressure in the conductor for supplying gas from the gas chamber to said conductor beyond the regulator.

10. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases including, a liquid reservoir, a gas chamber communicating with the upper portion of the reservoir for storing gas vaporized from the body of liquid, a supply conductor leading from the reservoir for conducting liquid from said reservoir, means in said conductor for vaporizing the liquid passing therethrough, a regulator connected in the conductorbeyond the vaporizing means to maintain the pressure of the gas flowing from the conductor at a predetermined point, a vertical riser pipe connected in the conductor adjacent the regulator and communicating with the interior thereof, said riser functioning to collect liquid'in the event liquid passes the regulator and cause it to act upon the regulator to reduce the pressure of the gas flowing from the conductor, a connecting line between the gas chamber and the supply conductor beyond the regulator, and

a regulator in said line set to open at a pressure below the pressure at which the regulator in the conductor is set, whereby a reduction in the normally maintained pressure in the conductor actuates the regulator in the connecting line to permit a flow of gas from the gas chamber to said conductor.

11. A vaporizing'apparatus for liquefied gases including, a liquid reservoir for receiving a hydrocarbon liquid, said reservoir having a gas chamber for storing the gas rising from the stored body of liquid, a liquid conductor leading from the reservoir, a gas line leading from the gas chamber, a supply pipe connected with both the liquid conductor and the gas line, means for vaporizing the liquid in the liquid conductor to produce gas, regulating means in conductor in advance of the supply pipe' for regulating the pressure of the gas flowing to said pipejand regulating means in the gas line between the gas chamber and the supply pipe, said last named means being set at a lower pressure than that for which the regulating means in the liquid conductor is set, whereby so long as the normal presin the supply pipe by the 12. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases I a liquid reservoir for receiving a hydrocarbon liquid, saidreservoir having a gas chamber for storing the gas rising from the stored body of liquid, a liquid conductor leading from the reservoir, a gas line leading from'the-gas chamber, a supply pipe connected with both the liquid conductor and vaporizing the liquid, in the liquid conductor to produce gas, regulating means in conductor in advance of the supply pipe for regulating the pressure of the gas flowing to said pipe, and means associated with'the regulating means in the liquid conductor for collecting liquid and causing it to act upon said regulating means to reduce the pressure in the supply pipe, whereby the regulating means in thegas line is actuated to supply gas from the gas chamber in the event including,

liquid reaches the regulating means in the con- Y ductor.

13. "I'he method of actuating a gas operated cludes, confining a body of liquid and accumulating the gases which rise from the stored body vaporizing gasesfor use in i of liquid, conducting a portion of the liquid from the confined body and vaporizing the same to produce gas in addition to the gas rising from the body, regulating the pressure of the produced gas and conducting the same to the appliance .to be actuated, and supplying gas from the accumulated gas when the pressure of the gas beyond I the regulator falls belowa predetermined point.

14. The method of vaporizing gases for use in actuating a gas operated appliance which includes, confining a body of liquid and accumulating the gases which rise from the stored body of liquid, conducting a portion of the liquid from the confined body and vaporlzing'the same to produce gas in addition to the gas rising from the body, regu ating the pressure of the produced gas and conducting the same to the appliance to be actuated, utilizing the weight of the liquid in the event said liquid reaches the regulating apparatus to affect a pressure drop apparatus, and conducting. gas from the accumulated gases above the stored body of liquid to the appliance when a predetermined pressure'drop- 7 occurs in the system beyond the point of regulation.

15. A vaporizing system including, a storage tank having a hydrocarbon liquid stored therein,

a gas chamber communicating with the upper end of the tank for receiving the vapors rising from said stored body of liquid, a supply conductor extending from the tank for conducting liquid therefrom, means for vaporizing the liquid passing through said conductor to produce a gas,

means connected in the conductor for regulating the pressure of the gas passing from the conductor to maintain a predetermined pressure in said conductor beyond said regulating means, means for establishing communication between the conductor beyond said regulating means and the gas chamber, and means responsive to the pressure in said conductor for controlling the flow of gas from said chamber to the conductor, the pressureresponsive means being normally in a closed position and actuated when the pressure .in said conductor falls below a predetermined point.

. ,16. A vaporizing apparatus for liquefied gases including, a liquid reservoir, a gas chamber, comthe gas line, means for appliance which inbeyond said regulating municating with the upper portion 01' the reservoi r for storing gas vaporized from the'body of liquid, a supply conductor leading from the reservoir for conducting liquid from said reservoir, means in said conductor for vaporizing the liquid passing therethrough, a regulator connected in said conductor beyond the vaporizing means to maintain a predetermined pressure in said conductor, a connecting line between the gas chamber and the supply conductor beyond the regulator, and control means mounted in the line normaily in a closed position and actuated by a predetermined pressure drop in said conductor for controlling the flow oi! gas from said gas chamber to the conductor.

. SAM P. JONES. 

